List of Healthy Lowfat, Low Carb Food Choices

Skinless chicken breast is a low-fat, low-carb food.

When you are trying to stay healthy, the search for tasty food that is both low in fat and carbohydrates can seem a bit overwhelming. You may also wonder why it’s important to look for food that’s low in carbohydrates as well as fat. If you have or are at risk of getting diabetes, keeping your carb intake low is a great way to control your blood sugar; according to "Health" magazine, 90 percent of carbohydrates turn into glucose.

Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken is a great choice when you’re seeking a lean meat that is both low in fat and low in carbohydrates. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that a 71-gram serving of skinless ready-to-cook chicken breast has 1.84 grams of fat, 81 calories, no carbohydrates, 263 milligrams of potassium, 15.07 grams of protein and only 82 milligrams of sodium. You can season your chicken with a little bit of garlic, which has only 0.93 grams of carbohydrates per teaspoon, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Tuna

Tuna is an optimal choice when sticking to a diet of low-fat and low-carb foods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that one can of drained white tuna has no carbohydrates, 5.1 grams of fat, 220 calories and 40.63 grams of protein. It is important to not go overboard when eating tuna since it is high in mercury. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, one can of tuna averages about 0.350 parts per million of mercury. ConsumerReports.org states the FDA can pull a fish product from the shelves that has more than 1 ppm. If mercury level is a concern for you, it may be best to opt for a can of light tuna, which, according to the FDA, only averages 0.128 ppm.

Low-Fat Cheese

Cheese is a delicious addition to any meal, but going overboard with the amount you use can defeat the purpose of your diet. When adding cheese to your meal, it is best to stick with low-fat cheddar or Colby. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, low-fat cheddar or Colby has only 48 calories, .053 grams of carbohydrates and 1.96 grams of fat per slice. One slice is also packed with 6.82 grams of protein, which will help keep you full.

Egg Whites

Eggs are great to keep in your house, but whole eggs are higher in fat, calories and carbs than egg whites alone. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 cup of egg whites has 126 calories, 26.49 grams of protein, 0.41 grams of fat and 1.77 grams of carbohydrates; 1 cup of whole eggs has 347 calories, 30.52 grams of protein, 23.11 grams of fat and 1.75 grams of carbohydrates. While you get slightly more protein and slightly fewer carbs with the whole egg, the calorie and fat content in egg whites makes them the optimal choice.

About the Author

Leigh Wittman has been writing professionally since 2007. She writes primarily on health, career advice, outdoor pursuits and travel for various websites. Wittman is a licensed nurse and studied nursing at Arizona State University.